Death toll in Pemex plant explosion rises to 24

CNN reports the death toll from a huge explosion at a Mexican petrochemical plant that forced the evacuation of surrounding neighborhoods has risen to 24, authorities said.

Smoke billows into the sky after a deadly explosion at a petrochemical plant in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, on Wednesday, April 20. (PHOTO: cnn.com)

Wednesday’s explosion at the Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo facility in the southern state of Veracruz sent large plumes of dark smoke and toxic fumes across the region.

Javier Duarte, governor of the state of Veracruz, told CNN affiliate Televisa that the blast was felt about 10 kilometers (six miles) away. Emergency protocols were put in place, with surrounding municipalities evacuated and schools closed in others, officials said.

PMV is a joint venture between Mexican petrochemicals consortium Mexichem and state oil firm Pemex.